Sunday, November 8, 1998 Published at 15:56 GMTWorld: Asia-PacificPolice raid on Japanese cultThe cult has been involved in covert property dealsPolice in Japan have raided 10 sites in and around Tokyo with suspected links to the doomsday cult, Aum Shin Rikyo.

The raids are part of an investigation into an alleged fraud designed to hide the cult's ownership of property.

Cult members were responsible for a nerve gas attack on the Tokyo underground rail network three years ago, which killed 12 people and made 6,000 others ill.

Public fears resulting from that and other incidents means that the cult now has to carry out its business dealings under false pretences.

The cult is said to have used fake signature seals to cover up its purchase of properties, including a holiday house which was to be used as a dormitory for cult members.